Ironing board construction



Dec. w, w35, H. scHLEslNGL-:R

RONING BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 17, 1933 QW' ew?? er 'Mi/aria y Y Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNiTsD sTATss Application August 17,

2 Claims.

An object of my invention is to provide an ironing board construction having sheet metal legs of simple and durable construction, the entire ironing board structure being rigid when set up.

A further object of my invention is to provide in an ironing board construction means for holding a pad or the like on the board consisting of a cable tightenable into a groove around theedge of the board, novel means being provided for tightening the cable.

A further object is to provide a foldable support for the board consisting of sheet metal legs connected in a novel manner to the board whereby they may be conveniently folded against the board or extended to supporting position, in which latter position they rigidly support the board.

More particularly it is my object to provide a folding support comprising a leg element pivoted at one end to one end of the board and extending toward the other end thereof, which operates in conjunction with a leg member consisting of a pair of legs which are slidably and pivotally associated with the leg element and (by means of a base which is slidable relative to the board) the leg member is movable to folded position When the leg element is swung to such position, a thrust member being connected with the base and with the leg element to complete the supporting framework for the board.

With these and other objects in View my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ironing board embodying my invention showing it in supported position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation illustrating the same in partially folded position, by full lines, and in completely folded position, by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the board showing it in folded position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 2 illustrating a cable adjusting connection.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 illustrating a guide element, a slide element therein and a portion of a thrust member connected with the slide element.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-6 of Figure 1 illustrating a sliding and 1933, Serial No. 685,571

(Cl. 6S-10) pivotal connection between a leg element and a leg member. i

Figure '7 is a central sectional View through a modified form of the invention; and

Figure 8 is an eniarged sectional View on the 5 line 8 -8 of Figure 7.

On the accompanying drawing, I have used the reference numeral It to indicate a board. This is of the usual elongated shape with one end tapered and rounded. In the edge of the board I0 10 substantially mid-way between its top and bottom is a cable groove I2 which extends around the board, except at the squared end thereof.

At the squared end of the board, an angle member iii of metal is secured on the end and under the edge of the board, as clearly shown in Figures l and 2. Rotatably mounted in the angle member I 4 are adjusting sleeves IB each having a hand wheel I8 thereon. The sleeves I5 are non-slidable relative to the angle member I4 because of a 20 flange secured to each sleeve.

The sleeves are internally screw threaded to receive adjusting bolts 22 having U-shaped or yoke shaped heads 24. Pins 26 extend between the sides of the yokes 24 to prevent rotation of the 25 bolts 22, yet permit their longitudinal movement.

A cable 28 is extended around the board I0 in the groove I2. The ends thereof are connected as at 30 to the yokes 24. It will be obvious that rotation of the hand Wheels I8 in one direction 30 will tighten the cable and in the opposite direction will loosen it.

An ironing pad 32 is illustrated in Figure 2. Part of itis broken away and another part thereof is shown in section. The edges of the pad 32, 35 as indicated at 32a, extend over the edge of the board lil and into the cable groove I2. The cable 28 therein stretches the pad 32 over the board I ii and retains it thereon when the hand wheels I are tightened.

The supporting framework for the board Ill includes a bracket bar 34 having ears 34a on the ends thereof to which is pivoted a V-shaped leg element 36. A base, consisting of a slide element 38 and a cross bar 4t is slidably mounted on 45 the board I0, a guide element 42 being provided to slidably receive the slide element 38. The elements 38 and 42 are dovetailed channels as illustrated in Figure 5, so that the slide element may be retained in the guide element.

A leg member comprising a pair of legs 44 and bracing 46 has its upper end pivoted to ears 4ta of the cross bar 45. The leg element 35 has a cross shaft 48 provided on its ends with rollers 50 which enter the channels of the 1egs44 (both 55 the leg element 35 and the legs 44 being channel shaped in cross section as shown in Figure 6).

The cross bar 48 is arranged at one end of the slide element 38. Flat bars 52 are secured to the board I0 for the cross bar to slide on without damaging the undersurface of the board. At the opposite end of the slide element 38 a thrust element 54 is pivoted. As shown in Figure 5, the slide element has a pin 55 for this pivotal connection. The lower end of the thrust element 54 is pivoted on a pin 58 adjacent the lower end of the leg element 35. The pivot pin 58 is carried by a pair of bars 5l? which in turn are riveted to the leg element with a block of wood, rubber or the like, 62 interposed between them.

The block 62 engages the floor surface 5'4 as illustrated in Figure l, the legs 44 being provided with blocks 65 for the same purpose.

The guide element i2 is suitably secured tothe board lll with spacers 68 interposed therebetween in order to space'the slide element 38 from the board to accommodate the cross bar 40 and the bars 52. The slide element 38 is provided with an opening l!! (see Figure 5) which snaps over an indentation l2 of the guide element 4Z when the supporting frame for the board I is in extended position. This prevents any possibility of the board folding up when in use.

The particular arrangement of the legs, sliding base and thrust element make the supporting frame for the board entirely rigid when in the position of Figure 1. Any weight imposed upon the board tends to spread the legs and the thrust element which are arranged in downwardly diverging relationship, thus tending to make the frame increasingly rigid.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have shown a modified construction of the guide and slide elements. The slide element indicated at 38a is in the form of a flat bar. It is slidable through yspaced guide elements 42a. in the form of small angle brackets secured to the board I0 by countersunk head screws or the like.. The cross bar at 40 is the same as in the previous figures of the drawing and so are the friction bars 52.

The slide element 38a, is provided with a pair of ears 39 to support the pivot pin 55a for the thrust element 55a. A bar 5l is provided having a locking projection 72111r to coact with an opening 19a, in the slide element 38a. The projection '12av has an inclinedV lower end so that the bar 38a can snapY over it (one end of a bar being curved, as indicated at 'E3 to facilitate such snapping) when the legs are in extended position. This construction makes a simpler arrangement from a manufacturing standpoint and a more positive lock and in many respects is preferable to the y construction shown in Figure 5.

When it is desired to fold the supportfor the board the curved end 'I3 can first be engaged o for pulling the bar 38a away from the projection 12a for unlocking purposes.

My board is very conveniently opened and closed. It can be stood on the end having the hand wheels I8 and toi-open it, the upper end of l the board can be grasped by one hand and the leg element 35 by the other hand and the two spread until the locking parts l! and l2 or 10a and 201. interengage. To fold the board up, it can first be unlocked and then the parts are all folded by the single motion of swinging the leg element 36 toward the board, as indicated by the arrow a in Figure 2. Movement of the leg element 36 in either direction enforces movement of the legs 44 in the same direction by reason of 2- the rollers 59 engaging the upper or the lower of the flanges of the channel bars forming the legs 44.

' Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my devicel with- 2' out departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention 'to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope. 3

I claim as my invention:

1. An ironing board construction comprising a board and a foldable support therefor, said foldable support comprising a leg element pivoted to said board adjacent one end thereof and extending 3 toward the other end thereof, a leg member comprising a pair of legs, a base slidably mounted on said board, said leg member being pivoted to said base and having sliding connection with said leg element, a thrust element pivoted to said 4 base and to said leg element, and means for locking said base to said board when said foldable support is in extended position.

2'. A device of the character disclosed comprising a board and a foldable support therefor, said 4 foldabl'e support comprising a leg element pivoted to said board and extending diagonally downward 

